Mw.ir. M.B. (Maria) Postma-Blaauw: “Soil biota and fertility in intensive and extensive agricultural systems”

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15 Apr 2008 16:00
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: prof.dr. L. Brussaard (Soil Biology and Biological Soil Quality)
Co Promotor: Dr. R.G.M. de Goede, Dr. J. Bloem, Dr. J.H. Faber

 Soil fertility is of great importance for agriculture. The soil biota play an important role in providing soil fertility by releasing nutrients from organic matter and rendering them suitable for take-up by the crop. However, life in the soil may be disturbed by agriculture. An important question is therefore which soil biota suffer most severely from agricultural practices and which soil biota may contribute the most to nutrient mineralization. My research has shown that in particular, high numbers of earthworms are related to nutrient mineralization, whereas earthworms are also very sensitive to soil tillage. Mineral nitrogen, an important plant nutrient, can be taken up by the crop, but can also leach to below the rooting zone resulting in environmental pollution. Also mineral N in artificial fertilizer is at risk of leaching. My research indicates that a healthy soil will contribute to high soil fertility and reduced dependence on mineral fertilizers. Furthermore, soil biota contribute to reduced nitrogen leaching, but only in the cropping season.

Title thesis: “Soil biota diversity and nitrogen cycling under agricultural (de-)intensification”
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